What Kind of Raw Meat Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs can eat most raw meats from beef, bison, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, and fish, including kidney, liver, and heart. Denatured meat should be avoided in all forms. 

If you have not heard of the highly controversial raw diet for dogs, check out our blog post. 

A Brief Synopsis 

A raw diet includes raw meat, including organs, muscle, and bone. It also includes raw eggs and raw fruits and vegetables. Supporters of the raw diet cite healthier skin, shinier coats, and more energy in their dogs.

What Raw Meats Can Dogs Eat?

Dogs can eat most raw meats. This list includes beef, bison, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, whole fish, kidney, liver, and heart. The exception to all of these is denatured meats. When meat begins to go bad or comes from dead or dying animals, manufacturers will denature the meat with chemicals as a sign that it is not fit for human consumption. As a responsible dog owner, you should avoid these raw meats at all costs.  

Stipulations 

Raw diets that are commercially produced must meet certain standards, similarly to commercially produced dog kibble. This is because the meat is intended to be eaten raw. However, raw meat found in grocery stores has a different set of standards that must be met. This is because it is assumed the store bought meat will be cooked before consumption. 

If you do not want to sign up for a pre-prepared, commercially produced, raw food diet for your dog, there are other options. It is suggested that instead of getting your meat from the grocery store, you find a high quality butcher to buy from. 

Storing Raw Meat

The CDC recommends freezing the raw meat until it is ready to be consumed by your dog. You may thaw it in the refrigerator, kept away from other human food. They also recommend throwing away any leftover meat that your dog does not eat because of temperature regulation concerns. Meat must be kept at cool temperatures to discourage bacterial growth.